A look upon the adsorption of different astringent agents to oral models: Understanding the contribution of alternative mechanisms in astringency

Salivary proteins precipitation by interaction with polyphenols is the major mechanism for astringency. However, alternative mechanisms seem involved in the perception of different subqualities of astringency. In this study, adsorption of four astringent agents to in vitro oral models and their sensory properties were assessed. Overall, green tea infusion and tannic acid have shown a higher adsorption potential for models with oral cells and absence of saliva. Alum and grape seed extract presented higher adsorption in models with presence of oral cells and saliva. Multiple factor analysis suggested that adsorption may represent important mechanisms to elicit the astringency of alum. Models including saliva, were closely associated with overall astringency and aggressive subquality. Models with cells and absent saliva were closely associated with greenness, suggesting a taste receptor mechanism involvement in the perception. For the first time a correlation between an oral-cell based assay and astringency sensory perception was shown.

Unveiling the Immunomodulatory Potential of Phenolic Compounds in Food Allergies

Food allergies are becoming ever more prevalent around the world. This pathology is characterized by the breakdown of oral tolerance to ingested food allergens, resulting in allergic reactions in subsequent exposures. Due to the possible severity of the symptoms associated with this pathology, new approaches to prevent it and reduce associated symptoms are of utmost importance. In this framework, dietary phenolic compounds appear as a tool with a not fully explored potential. Some phenolic compounds have been pointed to with the ability to modulate food allergies and possibly reduce their symptoms. These compounds can modulate food allergies through many different mechanisms, such as altering the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of potentially immunogenic peptides, by modulating the human immune system and by modulating the composition of the human microbiome that resides in the oral cavity and the gastrointestinal tract. This review deepens the state-of-the-art of the modulation of these mechanisms by phenolic compounds. While this review shows clear evidence that dietary supplementation with foods rich in phenolic compounds might constitute a new approach to the management of food allergies, it also highlights the need for further research to delve into the mechanisms of action of these compounds and decipher systematic structure/activity relationships.

Development of a cell-based quaternary system to unveil the effect of pectic polysaccharides on oral astringency

Phenolic compounds are responsible for food unpleasant taste properties, including astringency, due to their ability to interact with salivary proteins and oral constituents. Astringency is a crucial attribute for consumer's acceptability. To fulfill the demand for both healthy and tasty food, polysaccharides raise as a good alternative to modulate astringency. In this work, a cell-based quaternary system was developed to evaluate the ability of polysaccharides to reduce the interaction between two classes of hydrolysable tannins - gallotannins (tannic acid) and ellagitannins (punicalagin) - and oral constituents (cells, salivary proteins and mucosal pellicle). So, pectic polysaccharide fractions isolated from grape skins, imidazole soluble polysaccharides (ISP) and carbonate soluble polysaccharides (CSP), as well as a commercial pectin, were tested. Results showed that the polysaccharide's effect depends on the structural features of the molecules involved. CSP fraction and pectin were the most effective, reducing the interactions between both tannins and the oral constituents, mainly in the complete oral model. The highest uronic acid content and the presence of methyl esterified groups could explain their high reduction ability. For tannic acid, the reduction effect increased along with the galloylation degree, while the interaction of β-punicalagin with the oral constituents was practically inhibited at 3.0 mg.mL-1.

Life-course socio-economic status and its impact on functional health of Portuguese older adults

Functional health is arguably one of the most important health indicators for older adults, because it assesses physical, cognitive and social functions in combination. However, life-course circumstances may impact this multidimensional construct. The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between life-course socio-economic status (SES) and different dimensions of functional health in older adults. Data on 821 Portuguese adults aged 50 years and over in 2013-2015 were analysed. Life-course SES was computed using participants' paternal occupation (non-manual (nm); manual (m)) and own occupation (nm; m), resulting in four patterns: stable high (nm + nm), upward (m + nm), downward (nm + m) and stable low (m + m). Functional health included physical and mental functioning, cognitive function, handgrip strength, and walking speed. Linear (beta coefficients) and logistic regressions (odds ratios) were used to estimate the association between life-course SES and functional health.Overall, those who accumulated social disadvantage during life-course presented worse functional health than those with stable high SES (stable low - SF-36 physical functioning: β = -9.75; 95% CI: -14.34; -5.15; SF-36 mental health: β = -7.33; 95% CI: -11.55; -3.11; handgrip strength: β = -1.60; 95% CI: -2.86; -0.35; walking time, highest tertile: OR = 5.28; 95% CI: 3.07; 9.09). Those with an upward SES were not statistically different from those in the stable high SES for most of the health outcomes; however, those with an upward SES trajectory tended to have higher odds of cognitive impairment (OR = 1.75; 95% CI: 0.96; 3.19). A downward SES trajectory increased the odds of slower walking speed (OR = 4.62; 95% CI: 1.78; 11.95). A disadvantaged life-course SES impacts older adults' physical and mental functioning. For some outcomes, this was attenuated by a favourable adulthood SES but those with a stable low SES consistently presented worse functional health.

Mechanics and Energetic Analysis of Rowing with Big Blades with Randall Foils

Empirical observations support that the addition of a plastic strip - also known as Randall foils - on the top edge of a rowing blade improves rowing efficiency during the cycle propulsive phase. The aim of the current study was to analyze the effect of using big blades with and without Randall foils on rowing performance. Twenty experienced rowers performed two 90 s tethered rowing bouts (with and without Randall foils) to assess their impact on force production and physiologic variables. All tests were randomized and a repeated measure design was used to compare experimental conditions. Higher values of peak and mean peak forces (479.4±134.7 vs. 423.2±153.0, d=0.83 and 376.5±101.4 vs. 337.1±113.3 N, d=0.68), peak oxygen uptake (47.9±7.5 vs. 45.3±7.3 mL∙kg-1∙min-1, d=0.19), peak blood lactate concentration (7.9±1.6 vs. 6.9±1.7 mmol∙L-1, d=0.16), blood lactate increasing speed (0.08±0.01 vs. 0.07±0.06 [(mmol·L-1)·s-1], d=0.27) and lactic anaerobic energy (27.4±7.9 vs. 23.4±8.1 kJ, d=0.23) were found for big blades with vs. without Randall foils, p<0.05. The current data suggest that the Randall foils can positively affect rowing performance.

A Stereophotogrammetry Face Study Between Dentate and Edentulous Adults Rehabilitated with Either a Conventional Complete or an Implant-Supported Fixed Complete Denture

Quantifying in edentulous patients the facial collapse and whether complete conventional denture (CCD) and implant-supported fixed complete denture (ISFCD) can restore the facial proportions to match those of a dentate patient (CG) is relevant for clinical dentists. One hundred and four participants were enrolled and divided into edentulous (n=56) and CG (n=48). The edentulous participants were rehabilitated with CCD (n=28) or ISFCD (n=28) in both arches. Anthropometric landmarks in the face were marked and captured by stereophotogrammetry. Linear, angular, and surface measurements were analyzed and compared among groups. The statistical analysis was performed by an independent t-test, the one-way ANOVA, and Tukey's test. The significance level was set at 0.05. The facial collapse was quantified as a significant shortening of the lower third of the face affecting facial aesthetics in all parameters evaluated and the same was observed in comparison among CCD, ISFCD, and CG. The CCD presented statistical differences with the CG group in the lower third of the face and labial surface, and the ISFCD showed no statistical differences with the CG and CCD. The facial collapse in edentulous patients could be restored through oral rehabilitation with an ISFCD similar to those of dentate patients.

Characterization of the Effect of a Novel Production Technique for 'Not from Concentrate' Pear and Apple Juices on the Composition of Phenolic Compounds

The consumption of 'not-from-concentrate' (NFC) fruit juices can be a convenient and enjoyable way to incorporate the nutritional benefits and flavors of fruits into one's diet. This study will focus on the effect of production of juices from apple and pear fruits, by using centrifugal decanter and tangential filtration, on the profile of polyphenols as a valuable source of bioactive compounds. Likewise, by-products from the juice industry were characterized in order to understand the high-value-added potential based on their composition of polyphenols. Briefly, apple and apple juice showed great contents of chlorogenic acid (0.990 ± 0.021 mg/g of DW), the dihydrochalcone phloridzin (1.041 ± 0.062 mg/g of DW), procyanidins (0.733 ± 0.121 mg/g of DW) and quercetin derivatives (1.501 ± 0.192 mg/g of DW). Likewise, the most abundant compounds in pear and pear juices were chlorogenic acid (0.917 ± 0.021 mg/g of DW), caffeoylquinic acid (0.180 ± 0.029 mg/g of DW), procyanidins (0.255 ± 0.016 mg/g of DW) and quercetin derivatives (0.181 ± 0.004 mg/g of DW). Both temperature and tangential speed affect the amount of phenolic compounds in fruit juices, highlighting the need to control the technological process to obtain a more nutritious/healthier beverage. Overall, NFC juices arise as a better option when compared with concentrated juices. Furthermore, the higher yield of phenolic compounds found in fruit pomace clearly open new ways for upcycling this fruit by-product as a high-value-added ingredient.

Lycopene from Red Guava (Psidium guajava L.): From Hepatoprotective Effect to Its Use as Promising Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery System for Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Applications

Lycopene is a carotenoid with potential use in the treatment of chronic illnesses. Here, different formulations of lycopene were studied: lycopene-rich extract from red guava (LEG), purified lycopene from red guava (LPG) and a self-emulsifying drug delivery system loaded with LPG (nanoLPG). The effects of administering orally various doses of LEG to hypercholesterolemic hamsters were evaluated regarding the liver function of the animals. The cytotoxicity of LPG in Vero cells was analyzed by a crystal violet assay and by fluorescence microscopy. In addition, nanoLPG was employed in stability tests. LPG and nanoLPG were tested for their cytotoxic effect on human keratinocytes and antioxidant capacity on cells in an endothelial dysfunction model in an isolated rat aorta. Finally, the effect of different nanoLPG concentrations on the expression of immune-related genes (IL-10, TNF-α, COX-2 and IFN-γ) from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) using real-time PCR was also analyzed. Results suggest that LEG, despite not being able to improve blood markers indicative of liver function in hypercholesterolemic hamsters, reduced hepatic degenerative changes. Additionally, LPG did not show cytotoxicity in Vero cells. In relation to nanoLPG, the effects produced by heat stress evaluated by Dynamics Light Scattering (DLS) and visually were loss of color, texture change and phase separation after 15 days without interfering with the droplet size, so the formulation proved to be efficient in stabilizing the encapsulated lycopene. Although LPG and nanoLPG showed moderate toxicity to keratinocytes, which may be related to cell lineage characteristics, both revealed potent antioxidant activity. LPG and nanoLPG showed vasoprotective effects in aortic preparations. The gene expression assay indicates that, although no significant differences were observed in the expression of IL-10 and TNF-α, the PBMCs treated with nanoLPG showed a reduction in transcriptional levels of IFN-γ and an increased expression of COX-2. Thus, the work adds evidence to the safety of the use of lycopene by humans and shows that tested formulations, mainly nanoLPG due to its stability, stand out as promising and biosafe products for the treatment of diseases that have oxidative stress and inflammation in their etiopathology.

Childhood social adversity and clustering of health risk behaviours during early adolescence in a population-based birth cohort

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to prospectively explore the association between early lifetime exposure to psychosocial adversity and engagement in health risk behaviours (HRBs) during early adolescence.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a prospective study.

METHODS

This study used data from the baseline (2005-2006), third (2016-2017) and fourth waves (2018-2020) of the Generation XXI birth cohort. Socio-economic circumstances (SECs) at baseline, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs; e.g. abuse, neglect, household dysfunction) at age 10 years and HRBs (i.e. alcohol consumption, smoking, physical exercise level, sedentary behaviours, sleep duration and eating behaviours) at age 13 years were measured. Patterns of HRBs were obtained using latent class analysis. Latent class regression analysis was used to estimate the likelihood of being engaged in HRBs according to the extent of exposure to ACEs (i.e. 0 ACEs, 1-3 ACEs, 4-5 ACEs and ≥6 ACEs) and negative family SECs.

RESULTS

Adolescents whose mothers had a low level of education (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.72 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 2.33-3.18]), low occupational status (aOR = 3.21 [95% CI, 2.68-3.85]) and low income (aOR = 2.70 [95% CI, 2.23-3.28]) were more likely to be engaged in HRBs than their peers with higher SECs. Adolescents who experienced more ACEs were at a significantly increased risk of involvement in HRBs (aOR = 1.86 [95% CI, 1.33-2.63] for 4-5 ACEs vs aOR 2.41 [95% CI, 1.72-3.43] for ≥6 ACEs). No significant gender differences were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Adolescents from families with low SECs were more likely than their more affluent counterparts to be engaged in HRBs. Furthermore, more ACEs contributed to widening health inequalities.

Interactions between Beer Compounds and Human Salivary Proteins: Insights toward Astringency and Bitterness Perception

Beer is one of the most consumed beverages worldwide with unique organoleptic properties. Bitterness and astringency are well-known key features and, when perceived with high intensity, could lead to beer rejection. Most studies on beer astringency and bitterness use sensory assays and fail to study the molecular events that occur inside the oral cavity responsible for those perceptions. This work focused on deepening this knowledge based on the interaction of salivary proteins (SP) and beer phenolic compounds (PCs) and their effect toward these two sensory attributes. The astringency and bitterness of four different beers were assessed by a sensory panel and were coupled to the study of the SP changes and PC profile characterization of beers. The human SP content was measured before (basal) and after each beer intake using HPLC analysis. The beers’ PC content and profile were determined using Folin–Ciocalteu and LC-MS spectrometry, respectively. The results revealed a positive correlation between PCs and astringency and bitterness and a negative correlation between SP changes and these taste modalities. Overall, the results revealed that beers with higher PC content (AAL and IPA) are more astringent and bitter than beers with a lower PC content (HL and SBO). The correlation results suggested that an increase in whole SP content, under stimulation, should decrease astringency and bitterness perception. No correlation was found between the changes in specific families of SP and astringency and bitterness perception.

Study of Serial Exposures of an Astringent Green Tea Flavonoid Extract with Oral Cell-Based Models

It is well known that repeated exposure to phenolic compounds (PCs) raises astringency perception. However, the link between this increase and the oral cavity's interactions with salivary proteins (SPs) and other oral constituents is unknown. To delve deeper into this connection, a flavonoid-rich green tea extract was tested in a series of exposures to two oral cell-based models using a tongue cell line (HSC3) and a buccal mucosa cell line (TR146). Serial exposures show cumulative PC binding to all oral models at all concentrations of the green tea extract; however, the contribution for the first and second exposures varies. The tongue mucosal pellicle (HSC3-Mu-SP) may contribute more to first-stage astringency (retaining 0.15 ± 0.01 mg mL^-1 PCs at the first exposure), whereas the buccal mucosal pellicle (TR146-Mu-SP) retained significantly less (0.08 ± 0.02 mg mL^-1). Additionally, increased salivary volume (SV+), which simulates the stimulation of salivary flow brought by a food stimulus, significantly enhances PC binding, particularly for TR146 cells: TR46-Mu-SP_SV+ bound significantly higher total PC concentration (0.17 ± 0.02 mg mL^-1) than the model without increased salivary volume TR146-Mu-SP_SV- (0.09 ± 0.03 mg mL^-1). This could be associated with a higher contribution of these oral cells for astringency perception during repeated exposures. Furthermore, PCs adsorbed in the first exposure to cell monolayer models (+TR146 and +HSC3) change the profile of PCs bound to these models in the second exposure. Regarding the structure binding activity, PCs with a total higher number of hydroxyl groups were more bound by the models containing SP. Regarding the SP, basic proline-rich proteins (bPRPs) may be involved in the increased perception of astringency upon repeated exposures. The extent of bPRP precipitation by PCs in mucosal pellicle models for both cell lines (HSC3 and TR146) in the second exposure (76 ± 13 and 83 ± 6%, respectively) was significantly higher than in the first one (25 ± 14 and 5 ± 6%, respectively).

SCS 4th Annual Conference: Strength and Conditioning for Human Performance, Porto, Portugal, 2021

On behalf of the Strength & Conditioning Society (SCS) and the Faculty of Sport of the University of Porto, we are pleased to present the abstracts of the SCS 4th Annual Conference: Strength and Conditioning for Human Performance, which took place in, Porto, Portugal, on 12–13 November 2021. The event was a success with invited sessions from renowned international and national speakers on a myriad of topics related to strength and conditioning and its application to health and sports performance, such as agility training and testing, high-intensity interval training in chronic conditions, hamstring strain injuries in soccer, and the utilization of surface electromyography (EMG) decomposition for assessing human performance, among others. During the Conference there were also different practical workshops on (1) velocity-based training; (2) performance testing and athlete monitoring using force platforms; (3) 3D kinematics tracking and flow force assessment in aquatic sports; (4) the application of inertial sensors for physical performance testing; (5) muscle fiber recruitment, force production, and energy expenditure in progressive bicycle testing; (6) EMG decomposition, motor-units recruitment, and muscle contraction modes; and (7) recovery strategies in team-sport athletes. Researchers and academics were able to present their latest findings by submitting the abstracts that compose this Conference Report.

Intra- and inter-cycle velocity variations in sprint front crawl swimming

Intra- and inter-cycle velocity variations are of utmost importance for achieving enhanced swimming performances. However, intra-cycle events can impact and interfere with the subsequent cycles, making relevant to study several consecutive cycles allowing a better understanding of this possibility. We have assessed front crawl intra- and inter-cyclic velocity variations and overall biomechanical variables in sprint front crawl swimming. Twenty-seven elite swimmers performed 25 m all-out front crawl, were videotaped using moving cameras placed at the sagittal plane and were grouped according to their sprint mean velocity. Coefficient of variation, root mean square error and mean velocity differences between two consecutive paired cycles allowed assessing intra- and inter-cycle velocity variations. Visual inspection was performed to analyse possible variability causes and independent-measures t-test allowed comparing groups. Sprint front crawl was characterised by intra- (11.12 ± 2.98) and inter-cycle velocity variation (2.27 ± 0.80 of inter-cycle velocity coefficient of variation and 0.031 ± 0.014 of root mean square error), with no differences between fastest and slowest swimmers. Front crawl intra-cycle velocity variation was not related to mean velocity and cycle sequence but considered swimmers' personal strategy. Despite some abnormal oscillations within cycles, inter-cycle velocity variation was not caused by intra-cycle velocity variation, mean velocity or cycle sequence.

Adherence Scale to the Recommendations for Mental Health during the COVID-19 pandemic from the Portuguese General Directorate of Health (ASR-MH-COVID19) - Development and validation

Introduction

The COVID-19 crisis has generated an increasing stress throughout the population.

Objectives

To develop and validate the Adherence Scale to the Recommendations for Mental Health during the COVID-19 pandemic from the Portuguese General Directorate of Health (GDH) (ASR-MH-COVID19).

Methods

The items content was based on the GDH guides for the prevention of mental health and psychosocial well-being of the general population during the COVID-19 outbreak. After content and facial validity analysis, the preliminary version of the ASR-MH-COVID19 (8 items to be answered on a Likert scale) was completed by 413 individuals (69.2% female; mean age=31.02±14,272), in September-December 2020 (Sample1) and then by 967 (70.9% female; mean age=34.02±14,272), in February-May 2021 (Sample2). Sample1 was randomly divided in two sub-samples. Sample1A was used for exploratory factor analysis/EFA and Sample1B for confirmatory factor analysis/CFA; CFA was then replicated with Sample2. The online surveys also included the Adherence Scale to the Recommendations of Portuguese GDH to minimize the impact of COVID-19 (ASR-COVID-19; Pereira et al. 2020).

Results

CFAs were informed by EFA and showed that the unidimensional model presented acceptable-good fit indexes (Sample1B: χ²/df=2.747; RMSEA=.0980, p<.001; CFI=.973; TLI=.918, GFI=.972; Sample2: χ²/df=3.327; RMSEA=.0490, p<.001; CFI=.993; TLI=.983, GFI=.990). Cronbach’s alfas were α<.850. Pearson correlations between ASR-MH-COVID19 and ASR-COVID19 were significant (p<.01) and moderate-high for the total (r=.753) and dimensional scores (Distance and respiratory hygiene, r=.739; House and personal hygiene, r=.584; Use of remote services and isolation r=.425).

Conclusions

The new ASR-MH-COVID19 has shown validity and reliability, allowing the investigation of this (mental) health behaviour.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Relationship between personality, adherence to (mental) health behaviours and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction

Public health authorities around the world have been disseminating messages to support mental health and psychosocial well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the Portuguese guidelines, we have developed the Adherence Scale to the Recommendations for Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic (ASR-MH-COVID19) to better understand this health behaviour.

Objectives

To analyse the relationship between sociodemographics, personality traits, Adherence (to the Recommendations for Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic) and psychological distress.

Methods

413 individuals (69.2% female; mean age=31.02±14,272) completed an on-line survey, in September-December 2020, including sociodemographic questions, ASR-MH-COVID19, NEO-FFI-20 and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) and Health Perception Scale.

Results

Adherence scores did not significantly differ by gender, age and years of education. Women presented higher DASS and Neuroticism scores (p<.01). Adherence were negatively correlated with Neuroticism (r=-.247) and with Depression/Anxiety/Stress (all r».-200), positively with Openness to Experience (r=.174), Conscientiousness (r=.194) and Perceived Health (Physical, r=.173 and Psychological, r=.215) (all p<.01). Mediation analysis (Hays’ Macro Process - Model 4) revealed that Adherence is a partial mediator between Openness and DASS and Conscientiousness and DASS; when considering Neuroticism, only the direct effect was significant. The effect of Perceived Health (both Physical and Psychological) on DASS was also mediated by Adherence.

Conclusions

The Health Behaviour Model proposes a pathway linking personality and health that applies to these results about adherence and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Personality and perceived health (also a trait) influence both adherence to mental health behaviours and psychological distress. Understanding personality is vital for health care providers.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Adherence to the Recommendations from the Portuguese General Directorate of Health (GDH) during the COVID-19 pandemic: fear or prosocial behaviour?

Introduction

During a public health crisis, preventive measures are essential. However, to make them effective, all citizens must be engaged.

Objectives

To analyse the differential role of individual and contextual variables in the adherence to public health recommendations.

Methods

1376 adults (70.5% female; mean age=35.55±14.27) completed a survey between September/2020 and May/2021 with: Adherence Scale to the Recommendations during COVID-19 (ASR-COVID19; evaluates three dimensions of adherence), Fear of Covid-19 Scale (FC19S) and Toronto and Coimbra Prosocial Behaviour Questionnaire (ProBeQ; assesses empathy and altruism).

Results

Adherence did not differ between individuals with or without personal or family history of COVID-19 infection. ASR-COVID19 and all dimensions were positively correlated to ProBeQ’s altruism and empathy (from r=.32 to r=.54); FCV19S correlated positively to total adherence score and house sanitation (from r=.18 to r=.26; all p<.01). Linear regressions revealed that altruism and empathy (first model), as well as fear of Covid-19 (second model), were significant predictors of adherence; however, while the first model explained ≅28% of its variance, the second (FCV19S as independent variable) only explained ≅3%. Regression models performed in a subsample of participants with personal or family history of COVID-19 revealed that only empathy, but not altruism, was a significant predictor of adherence; in this subsample, fear was no longer a significant predictor of adherence, except for lockdown and use of teleservices.

Conclusions

Based on our results, we suggest health care providers and public health campaigns should take into consideration social solidarity and altruism, as well as previous experiences, when appealing to public’s engagement in health behaviour.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Relationship between personality, adherence to (mental) health behaviours and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction

Public health authorities around the world have been disseminating messages to support mental health and psychosocial well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the Portuguese guidelines, we have developed the Adherence Scale to the Recommendations for Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic (ASR-MH-COVID19) to better understand this health behaviour.

Objectives

To analyse the relationship between sociodemographics, personality traits, Adherence (to the Recommendations for Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic) and psychological distress.

Methods

413 individuals (69.2% female; mean age=31.02±14,272) completed an on-line survey, in September-December 2020, including sociodemographic questions, ASR-MH-COVID19, NEO-FFI-20 and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) and Health Perception Scale.

Results

Adherence scores did not significantly differ by gender, age and years of education. Women presented higher DASS and Neuroticism scores (p<.01). Adherence were negatively correlated with Neuroticism (r=-.247) and with Depression/Anxiety/Stress (all r».-200), positively with Openness to Experience (r=.174), Conscientiousness (r=.194) and Perceived Health (Physical, r=.173 and Psychological, r=.215) (all p<.01). Mediation analysis (Hays’ Macro Process - Model 4) revealed that Adherence is a partial mediator between Openness and DASS and Conscientiousness and DASS; when considering Neuroticism, only the direct effect was significant. The effect of Perceived Health (both Physical and Psychological) on DASS was also mediated by Adherence.

Conclusions

The Health Behaviour Model proposes a pathway linking personality and health that applies to these results about adherence and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Personality and perceived health (also a trait) influence both adherence to mental health behaviours and psychological distress. Understanding personality is vital for health care providers.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Adherence Scale to the Recommendations for Mental Health during the COVID-19 pandemic from the Portuguese General Directorate of Health (ASR-MH-COVID19) - Development and validation

Introduction

The COVID-19 crisis has generated an increasing stress throughout the population.

Objectives

To develop and validate the Adherence Scale to the Recommendations for Mental Health during the COVID-19 pandemic from the Portuguese General Directorate of Health (GDH) (ASR-MH-COVID19).

Methods

The items content was based on the GDH guides for the prevention of mental health and psychosocial well-being of the general population during the COVID-19 outbreak. After content and facial validity analysis, the preliminary version of the ASR-MH-COVID19 (8 items to be answered on a Likert scale) was completed by 413 individuals (69.2% female; mean age=31.02±14,272), in September-December 2020 (Sample1) and then by 967 (70.9% female; mean age=34.02±14,272), in February-May 2021 (Sample2). Sample1 was randomly divided in two sub-samples. Sample1A was used for exploratory factor analysis/EFA and Sample1B for confirmatory factor analysis/CFA; CFA was then replicated with Sample2. The online surveys also included the Adherence Scale to the Recommendations of Portuguese GDH to minimize the impact of COVID-19 (ASR-COVID-19; Pereira et al. 2020).

Results

CFAs were informed by EFA and showed that the unidimensional model presented acceptable-good fit indexes (Sample1B: χ²/df=2.747; RMSEA=.0980, p<.001; CFI=.973; TLI=.918, GFI=.972; Sample2: χ²/df=3.327; RMSEA=.0490, p<.001; CFI=.993; TLI=.983, GFI=.990). Cronbach’s alfas were α<.850. Pearson correlations between ASR-MH-COVID19 and ASR-COVID19 were significant (p<.01) and moderate-high for the total (r=.753) and dimensional scores (Distance and respiratory hygiene, r=.739; House and personal hygiene, r=.584; Use of remote services and isolation r=.425).

Conclusions

The new ASR-MH-COVID19 has shown validity and reliability, allowing the investigation of this (mental) health behaviour.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

New insights into the oral interactions of different families of phenolic compounds: Deepening the astringency mouthfeels

Astringency is a tactile sensation of puckering, tightening and dryness in the oral cavity, commonly induced by polyphenols. In this study, the interaction of two phenolic compound mixtures, one rich in gallotannins and the other in flavonols, with two oral models (tongue (HSC3) or buccal mucosa (TR146) was evaluated. Results provided evidence that gallotannins and flavonols seem to bind in a different way to the different oral constituents and models used. Gallotannins seems to bind more to the tongue than to the buccal mucosa cell line, but this difference is overcome by the presence of salivary proteins. Conversely, for the flavonol mixture, the presence of salivary proteins seems to restrain the interaction with oral cell lines. Structure-binding activity relationships were evidenced within each mixture: for gallotannins, interactions seem to increase along with the galloylation degree while for flavonol it was observed that increasing numbers of glucose residues decreased the binding activity.

Primary care health actions to homeless people during covid-19:an experience report

Objective

Experience report by professionals from Basic Health Care Centers working with homeless people during COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Descriptive and reflexive study by professionals and Nursing professors and academics.

Results and discussion

Professionals experience challenges when facing the pandemic considering the life conditions and misinformation of homeless people about COVID-19.Brazil's Unified Public Health System needs to take some measures to promote social distancing, access to toilets, mask and food distribution. Meetings with health teams and clinic on the street teams were held to organize care according to local reality, infrastructure, and users' flow. In a similar vein, intra and intersectoral articulations for joint actions on the street were articulated to provide access to health care and social assistance, and to accommodate and care for those presenting respiratory symptoms till improvement of the condition. Reorganizing actions is a dynamic process because each epidemiological stage demands new strategies as the pandemic advances or recedes. Attendance at Basic Health Care Centers was defined as priority:suspected COVID-19 cases and people with mental suffering or chronic disease.These people were identified to have face-to-face consultations or teleconsultations. In this sense, therapeutic interruption and worsening of conditions were avoided. Some management challenges are listed:information dynamics, the need to publicize, to qualify professionals and to articulate the network;care with the health team, keep away professionals from the group of risk and COVID-19 confirmed cases;training demands, input assurance, and agendas;electronic means to share information and to keep collegiate management.

Conclusions

To face COVID-19 and to work with homeless people it becomes fundamental to share challenges and caring strategies to minimize impacts.Health professionals perform to sensitize users according to their life experiences and singularities.

Key messages

The caring process is built through dialog and reflection.

It is of utmost importance to make the population aware of the COVID-19 prevention.

Exogenous attention to social stimuli in the neurotypical population: The impact of autism traits

Introduction

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) have been associated with decreased spontaneous attention to social stimuli. Several studies further suggest that a higher expression of autism traits (AT) in the neurotypical population (NTP) may also be related to decreased social attention, although the evidence is still scarce, especially when considering faces as task-irrelevant distractors.

Objectives

This study aimed to explore the relationship between the expression of AT in the NTP and exogenous attention to social stimuli.

Methods

Fifty-one adult participants were recruited and asked to complete the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), to measure AT, and to perform an attentional capture task. In the latter, they were instructed to detect a target letter in the middle of perceptually similar (high perceptual load) or dissimilar (low perceptual load) distractor letters. In 25% of the trials, task-irrelevant distractors, consisting of images of faces (social) or houses (non-social), were shown flanking the letter stimuli.

Results

Response times were found to be affected by distractor-response compatibility, increasing for contralateral distractors, but decreasing for ipsilateral distractors, in relation to trials with no distractors (baseline). Importantly, these trends were magnified for distractor faces in the group with less AT, considering the social skills dimension of AQ, while the same tendency was observed in the group with higher AT, but for distractor houses.

Conclusions

Our results support an altered attentional performance in the subclinical phenotype of the autism spectrum. Furthermore, they also add to existing literature documenting similar attentional abnormalities in both the clinical and subclinical extremes of the spectrum, hinting possible shared mechanisms.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

P–615 The effect of late-follicular phase progesterone rise on embryo ploidy, embryo quality and cumulative live birth rates following a freeze-only strategy

Study question

Is late-follicular phase progesterone elevation (PE) associated with a deleterious effect on embryo euploidy, embryo blastulation and cumulative live birth rates (CLBRs)?

Summary answer

Late-follicular phase PE has no impact on impact on embryo euploidy rate, embryo blastulation rate nor on the CLBR.

What is known already

The effect of PE in ART outcomes has been extensively studied, yielding so far conflicting results. While some authors claim it is only detrimental to endometrial receptivity, others have suggested that it may also impair oocyte/embryo quality. Moreover, little is known regarding the potential effect PE may have on embryo ploidy and, consequently, CLBR.

Study design, size, duration

A multicenter retrospective cross-sectional study was performed between August 2017 and December 2019. A total of 1495 ICSI cycles coupled with preimplantation genetic diagnosis for aneuploidies (PGT-A) and deferred frozen embryo transfer (FET) were analyzed.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

All patients underwent ovarian stimulation with GnRH antagonist protocol and performed a serum progesterone measurement at one of the participating private fertility clinics on the day of trigger. The sample was stratified according to the progesterone levels: normal (≤1.50 ng/ml) and high (&gt;1.50 ng/ml). The primary outcome was the embryo euploidy rate. Secondary outcomes were the number of euploid blastocysts, the blastulation rate and CLBR.

Main results and the role of chance

Late-follicular phase PE was associated with higher late-follicular estradiol levels (2847.56±1091.10 pg/ml vs. 2240.94± 996.37 pg/ml, p &lt; 0.001) and more oocytes retrieved (17.67±8.86 vs. 12.70±7.00, p &lt; 0.001). The number of euploid embryos was higher in the PE group (2.32±1.74 vs. 1.86±1.42, p &lt; 0.001), whereas the embryo euploidy rate (48.3% [44.9%–51.7%] vs. 49.1% [47.7%–50.6%] and blastulation rate (47.1% [43.7%–50.5%] vs. 51.0% [49.7%–52.4%]) were comparable between the two groups. Likewise, no significant differences were found regarding the live birth rate (LBR) after the first FET (34.1% vs. 31.1%, p = 0.427) nor the CLBRs (38.9% vs. 37.0%, p = 0.637).

Mixed-model analysis was performed in order to account for the clustering of cycles in the same patient. Adjusting for patients’ age, PE and BMI, PE failed to demonstrate any effect on the embryo euploidy rate (OR 1.03 [95% CI 0.89–1.20]). Mixed-model analysis for the number of euploid embryos was also performed. After adjusting for PE, age, BMI and ovarian response, PE did not affect the number of euploid embryos (0.02 [95%CI –0.21;0.25]. Multivariate logistic regression adjusted for PE, age, BMI and ovarian response revealed that PE was not associated with the CLBR (adjOR 0.96 [95% CI 0.66–1.38]).

Limitations, reasons for caution

Limitations of the study include its retrospective nature. Moreover, including only GnRH antagonist protocol and ICSI does not allow the extrapolation of these results to other populations.

Wider implications of the findings: Our findings question results from previous studies claiming a detrimental effect of PE on embryo implantation potential. According to our results, PE has no impact on embryo euploidy rate, blastulation rate nor on CLBRs.

Trial registration number

Not applicable

P–723 Ovarian reserve parameters and ovarian stimulation outcome for IVF/ICSI are influenced by ethnicity

Study question

Are the ovarian reserve parameters and the outcome of ovarian stimulation for IVF / ICSI influenced by ethnicity?

Summary answer

Ethnicity influences ovarian reserve parameters and the outcome of ovarian stimulation for IVF / ICSI

What is known already

Infertility affects couples worldwide and due to a lack of a standardized reporting system, the real number, especially in developing countries, might be underestimated. The etiology of infertility may differ around the world and is often subjected not only to social, cultural and religious peculiarities, but also to different genetic influences. Published data suggest that ethnicity influences the ovarian reserve as well as the outcome of Assisted-Reproductive-Techniques (ART)-treatments. Key players of a successful ART outcome are the ovarian reserve and consequently the number of oocytes retrieved. Until today, the impact of ethnical differences is not sufficiently addressed in research.

Study design, size, duration

Prospective observational study, performed in 10 infertility centers worldwide (Europe (4 centers), Middle East North Africa (MENA) region (2 centers), Iran (2 centers), South America (1 center), India (1 center)) between May 2019 and September 2020, evaluating ovarian reserve and outcome parameters of ovarian stimulation treatments for IVF/ICSI. The study was approved by the Ethical Committee of each participating center.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Couples with primary / secondary infertility and an indication for an IVF/ICSI treatment were included into this study. Besides anamnestic data regarding the history of the infertility and self-reported ethnicity (Arab, Caucasian, Hispanic, Ohters, Persian and South Asian), data obtained during the basic fertility assessment on the ovarian reserve parameters (Antral follicle count (AFC) and Anti-Muellerian-Hormone (AMH)) as well as stimulation parameters from the ovarian stimulation treatment were collected and analyzed.

Main results and the role of chance

This study comprised 1032 couples with the following distribution of the ethnicities: Arab 21.5%, Caucasian 15.9%, Hispanic 5%, Others 1.2%, Persian 33.4%, and South Asian 23%. The unadjusted means, SD and 95%CI (Confidence Interval) of AMH (ng/ml) for the groups were 3.33±0.19 [2.95–3.71]; 2.03±0.25 [1.55–2.52]; 2.43±0.74 [0.97–3.88]; 2.76±0.96 [0.88–4.64]; 3.10±0.16 [2.79–3.41]; 3.62±0.19 [3.25–3.98], for AFC 15.52±0.53 [14.49–16.55]; 12.00±0.67 [10.69–13.31]; 12.69±1.08 [10.57–14.81]; 15.11±2.60 [10.01–20.21]; 13.58±0.42 [12.75–14.41]; 13.49±0.51 [12.49–14.48] and for the number of retrieved oocytes (rCOC) 14.08±0.61 [12.88–15.27]; 9.84±0.71 [8.44–11.24]; 7.94±1.26 [5.48–10.41]; 9.92±2.62 [4.78–15.05]; 10.83±0.49 [9.87–11.79]; 17.06±0.59 [15.90–18.21], respectively. Univariate analysis of AMH, AFC and rCOC with the ethnicities revealed highly statistically significant differences for AMH and rCOC (p &lt; 0.001, respectively) and significant differences for AFC (p = 0.0014).

As age is a major confounder for the ovarian reserve, multivariate analyses were performed. After adjusting for age, AMH was significantly different between Arab-Persian, Arab-South Asian and Arab-Caucasian (p &lt; 0.001, p &lt; 0.001, p = 0.002) and AFC statistically significant between Arab and all other ethnicities. For rCOC, besides age, also the stimulation-dosage and -duration was taken into account. Highly statistically significant differences were found for the groups Arab-Persian and Arab-Caucasian and no differences towards the other ethnical groups.

Limitations, reasons for caution

Limitations of the study are an unequal number of included patients per ethnicity and that the data for the ovarian reserve parameters and the stimulation outcome were not available for all of the included patients.

Wider implications of the findings: Counselling of couples with infertility have to take, besides all other factors, also the ethnicity of the couple into account as ethnicity influences the ovarian reserve parameters as well as the number of retrieved oocytes in ovarian stimulation cycles for IVF/ICSI.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03927417

Interaction between salivary proteins and cork phenolic compounds able to migrate to wine model solutions

This work reports the study of the interaction of human salivary proteins (SP) with phenolic compounds that migrate from cork stoppers to wine. This study yields valuable data to understand the influence that these compounds may have on the sensory perception of wine from an astringency perspective. For that, three cork fractions containing the phenolic compounds that migrate in greater amounts from cork to model wine solutions were selected. Fraction M1 contains gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, vanillin and protocatechuic aldehyde; fraction M2 comprises essentially gallic acid and ellagic acid, as well as castalagin and dehydrocastalagin; and fraction M3 contains the two isomeric ellagitannins castalagin and vescalagin. The reactivity of each fraction towards SP was M3 > M2 > M1. Within M3 fraction, castalagin showed a higher ability to precipitate SP (mainly aPRPs, statherin and P-B peptide) comparatively to vescalagin. In M1 fraction, caffeic and sinapic acids were the compounds with the highest interaction with SP, mainly cystatins. In addition, there also seems to be a matrix effect (presence of other compounds) that could be affecting these interactions.

Understanding the molecular interactions between a yeast protein extract and phenolic compounds

Phenolic compounds are partially removed during fining, which may influence the organoleptic properties of beverages. Among phenolic compounds, tannins have been widely associated to the taste of beverages (namely astringency and bitterness). Furthermore, phenolic acids and anthocyanins may also influence bitterness and the latter are also responsible for beverages' color. Thus, it is necessary to perform molecular studies to better understand the effect of fining agents in the overall phenolic composition of beverages and the resulting organoleptic changes. The molecular interactions between these three classes of phenolic compounds and a yeast protein extract (YPE), designed as a new fining agent, was studied. The binding affinities were assessed by fluorescence quenching at two temperatures (21 °C and 37 °C) and in two reaction media (water and wine model solution). The size of aggregates formed was characterized by Dynamic Light Scattering and the selectivity of protein interaction was analyzed by electrophoresis. Overall, pentagalloylglucoside (tannin) showed the highest binding affinity for YPE, followed by malvidin 3-glucoside (anthocyanin), p-coumaric acid (phenolic acid) and gallic acid (phenolic acid). The studied temperatures and solvents affected the interaction affinities as well as the aggregates' size. Binding selectivity of proteins from YPE was not found. These results open new perspectives to control the fining process by using the YPE as a fining agent taking into account the further effect in the organoleptic properties of beverages.

Subjective responses to emotional body odors and common odors in autism-spectrum disorders

Introduction

Autism-spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by deficits in social domains, associated with abnormal socioemotional perception. Although olfaction provides access to socioemotional cues, little is known about the perception of emotional odors considering their social meaning in ASD.

Objectives

To investigate the subjective responses to emotional body odors (BOs) versus non-social, common odors (COs) in ASD.

Methods

Eleven ASD and 49 typically developed (TD) adults were asked to smell negative, positive, and neutral BOs (axillary sweat from healthy individuals exposed to fearful, happy, and neutral film-clips) and COs, and to rate each odor on perceived pleasantness, intensity, familiarity and arousal. Odors were presented for 5 sec. Analyses were performed with linear mixed-effect models with fixed factors (group × odor type × valence) and covariates (e.g., age; intensity for arousal/familiarity; familiarity for pleasantness). Post-hoc comparisons were Bonferroni-corrected.

Results

Odors were perceived as significantly more intense (p=.044) and pleasant (p<.001) in ASD than TD. Distinct response patterns were found in ASD and TD. First, positive BOs and COs were similarly arousing and pleasant in ASD (p>.05), but not in TD (p<.001). Second, positive and neutral COs were equally arousing, familiar and pleasant in ASD (p>.05), but not in TD (p<.001). No differences were observed between BOs in ASD and TD (p>.05).

Conclusions

ASD is associated with abnormal subjective responses to emotional odors, which could contribute to the social communication difficulties characterizing ASD. Since emotional BOs elicit psychological responses in others, analyses on subjective and automatic responses will allow a better understanding of the role of olfaction in ASD.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Young Swimmers' Middle-Distance Performance Variation within a Training Season

The current study aimed to longitudinally evaluate anthropometric, physiological, and biomechanical variables related to middle-distance performance during a 45-week swimming training season. Thirty-four swimmers (age: 12.07 ± 1.14 years) performed a maximum of 400 m front crawl at the beginning (T1) and finish of the first macrocycle (T2, 15 weeks) and the finish of the second (T3, 18 weeks) and third macrocycles (T4, 12 weeks). Time-related variables, stroke rate (SR), stroke length (SL), and stroke index (SI) were recorded during the test, and blood lactate ([La]) and glucose ([Glu]) concentrations were measured post-exercise. The time of the 400 m effort decreased after each macrocycle (T2 vs. T1, 7.8 ± 5.6%; T3 vs. T2, 3.7 ± 3.1%; T4 vs. T3, 3.8 ± 3.4%; p < 0.01). Four hundred meter speed changes between T1 and T2 were positively related to variations in [La], [Glu], SL, and SI (r = 0.36–0.60, p < 0.05). Changes between T2 and T3 were related to SI only (r = 0.5, p < 0.05), and modifications between T3 and T4 were associated with SL and SI variations (r = 0.34 and 0.65, p < 0.05). These results indicate that a well-structured year plan including three macrocycles leads to a significant age-group swimming performance improvement, mostly connected with an increase in technical proficiency.

Interaction of a Procyanidin Mixture with Human Saliva and the Variations of Salivary Protein Profiles over a 1-Year Period

Procyanidins are widely associated with astringency perception and promptly interact/precipitate salivary proteins (SPs). In this work, the SP profile of 17 volunteers was monitored for 1 year, focusing on the SP families most related to astringency [aPRPs (acidic proline-rich proteins), bPRPs (basic proline-rich proteins), gPRPs (glycosylated proline-rich proteins), cystatins, P-B peptide, and statherin]. Although the total SP content remained constant, bPRPs showed high variability. Saliva from 5 volunteers was selected, each individual's saliva presenting a prominence in one of the referred SP families; each was used to interact with grape seed procyanidin oligomeric fraction. Independent of the prominences, a total depletion in statherin and P-B peptide was observed. These subjects performed a sensory assay and the limit of detection for astringency was determined. Overall, the specificity of SP toward procyanidins seemed to be more important in the interactions than the total SP content. The highest reactivity toward SPs was observed for epicatechin gallate, procyanidin dimers B7, B2g, and trimer C1.

Interactions between polyphenol oxidation products and salivary proteins: Specific affinity of CQA dehydrodimers with cystatins and P-B peptide

Throughout the apple juice and cider making process, polyphenols undergo enzymatic oxidation which generates a great variety of polyphenol oxidation products. Since 5'-O-Caffeoylquinic acid (CQA) is one of the major phenolic compounds and the preferential substrate for polyphenoloxidase in apple juice, its oxidation leads to the formation of newly formed molecules by which dehydrodimers (MW 706 Da) are included. Interactions of salivary proteins (SP) with native polyphenols is a well-known phenomenon, but their interactions with polyphenol oxidation products has not been studied yet. In this work, we decided to decipher the interactions between CQA dehydrodimers and SP (gPRPs, aPRPs, statherins/P-B peptide, and cystatins) using HPLC-UV and fluorescence. These results showed that contrary to what was expected, CQA dehydrodimers presented a low interaction with PRPs, but revealed a specific interaction with statherins/P-B peptide and cystatins. This work settles for the first time the interactions between SP and polyphenol oxidation products.

The Functioning of Outreach Programs Of/On the Street and the Work Processes of the Nurse

Problem

Homeless people (PSR) are a heterogeneous and fragile group. They are among the most excluded ones from health service access because they cannot present a regular home. They are also a population who have great difficulty of accessing the entrance and mostly search only for emergency and urgency services when their lives are at stake. This intervention is important because it aims at decreasing the inequalities to health access and, moreover, it decreases the difficulties to health access.

Description of the problem

A field visit to an outreach program on the street (CR) in Belo Horizonte was made on April, 22nd and on May, 6th in 2019. This program is linked to a Health Center. The objectives were knowing the functioning of outreach programs on the street and understanding the assignments and participation of the team nurse on working with PSR.

Results

By acting with and approaching PSR, the nurse can create contact and humanized listening. This is an attempt to establish user / professional bonds. During this contact, the professional struggles to encourage the user to search the health attention net. This professional also approaches the rupture with home, with the family, with the work, and with others. He/She tries to support users to face the challenges and to stimulate social reinsertion as well. Tests on the street to detect HIV/AIDS and syphilis are made, guaranteeing the individual privacy right. By approaching PSR, it is crucial that the nurse, who is part of the multi-professional team, be free of any prejudice and stigmas which can make the attendance success difficult. The application of health expanded concept was also present because it considers the complexity of health, mainly to those who inhabit the streets.

Lessons

The nurse can succeed in facing inequity. This decreases not only the barriers established by social inequalities but also the organizational barriers PSR are exposed all the time.

Key messages

Attendance prioritizes local care. It not only tries to attend social and health problems but also shared actions with Health Centers. At last, it should be an example to other countries. It is important for health professionals to reinvent their practices, searching partnerships and the acquisition of new knowledge to succeed in decreasing individuals’ demands.

Bioactive Peptides and Dietary Polyphenols: Two Sides of the Same Coin

The call for health-promoting nutraceuticals and functional foods containing bioactive compounds is growing. Among the great diversity of functional phytochemicals, polyphenols and, more recently, bioactive peptides have stood out as functional compounds. The amount of an ingested nutrient able to reach the bloodstream and exert the biological activity is a critical factor, and is affected by several factors, such as food components and food processing. This can lead to unclaimed interactions and/or reactions between bioactive compounds, which is particularly important for these bioactive compounds, since some polyphenols are widely known for their ability to interact and/or precipitate proteins/peptides. This review focuses on this important topic, addressing how these interactions could affect molecules digestion, absorption, metabolism and (biological)function. At the end, it is evidenced that further research is needed to understand the true effect of polyphenol-bioactive peptide interactions on overall health outcomes.

5 km front crawl in pool and open water swimming: breath-by-breath energy expenditure and kinematic analysis

PURPOSE

Breath-by-breath energy expenditure during open water swimming has not yet been explored in an ecological environment. This study aimed to investigate and compare energetics and kinematics of 5 km swimming, in both swimming pool and open water conditions.

METHODS

Through four independent studies, oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]₂) kinetics, heart rate (HR), blood lactate concentration ([La^-]) and glucose level (BGL), metabolic power ([Formula: see text]), energy cost (C) and kinematics were assessed during 5 km front crawl trials in a swimming pool and open water conditions. A total of 38 competitive open water swimmers aged 16-27 years volunteered for this four part investigation: Study A (pool, ten females, 11 males), Study B (pool, four females, six males), Study C (pool case study, one female) and Study D (open water, three females, four males).

RESULTS

In the swimming pool, swimmers started with an above average swimming speed (v), losing efficiency along the 5 km, despite apparent homeostasis for [La^-], BGL, [Formula: see text]₂, [Formula: see text] and C. In open water, swimmers started the 5 km with a below average v, increasing the stroke rate (SR) in the last 1000 m. In open water, [Formula: see text]₂ kinetics parameters, HR, [La^-], BGL, respiratory exchange ratio and C were affected by the v and SR fluctuations along the 5 km.

CONCLUSIONS

Small fluctuations were observed for energetic variables in both conditions, but changes in C were lower in swimming pool than in open water. Coaches should adjust the training plan accordingly to the specificity of open water swimming.

Tannins in Food: Insights into the Molecular Perception of Astringency and Bitter Taste

Astringency and bitterness are organoleptic properties widely linked to tannin compounds. Due to their significance to food chemistry, the food industry, and to human nutrition and health, these tannins' taste properties have been a line of worldwide research. In recent years, significant advances have been made in understanding the molecular perception of astringency pointing to the contribution of different oral key players. Regarding bitterness, several polyphenols have been identified has new agonists of these receptors. This review summarizes the last data about the knowledge of these taste properties perceived by tannins. Ultimately, tannins' astringency and bitterness are hand-in-hand taste properties, and future studies should be adapted to understand how the proper perception of one taste could affect the perception of the other one.

Inhibition Mechanisms of Wine Polysaccharides on Salivary Protein Precipitation

In this work, high-performance liquid chromatography, fluorescence quenching, nephelometry, and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were used to study the effect of polysaccharides naturally present in wine [rhamnogalacturonan II (RG II) and arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs)] on the interaction between salivary proteins (SP) together present in saliva and tannins (punicalagin (PNG) and procyanidin B2). In general, the RG II fraction was more efficient to inhibit SP precipitation by tannins, especially for acidic proline-rich proteins (aPRPs) and statherin/P-B peptide, than AGPs. The RG II fraction can act mainly by a competition mechanism in which polysaccharides compete by tannin binding. However, in the presence of Na⁺ ions in solution, no RG II effect was observed on SP-tannin interactions. On the other hand, dependent upon the saliva sample as well as the tannin studied, AGPs can act by both mechanisms, competition and ternary (formation of a ternary complex with SP-tannin aggregates enhancing their solubility).

Anaerobic Threshold Biophysical Characterisation of the Four Swimming Techniques

The anaerobic threshold (AnT) seems to be not only a physiologic boundary but also a transition after which swimmers technique changes, modifying their biomechanical behaviour. We expanded the AnT concept to a biophysical construct in the four conventional swimming techniques. Seventy-two elite swimmers performed a 5×200 m incremental protocol in their preferred swimming technique (with a 0.05 m·s^-1 increase and a 30 s interval between steps). A capillary blood samples were collected from the fingertip and stroke rate (SR) and length (SL) determined for the assessment of [La], SR and SL vs. velocity inflexion points (using the interception of a pair of linear and exponential regression curves). The [La] values at the AnT were 3.3±1.0, 3.9±1.1, 2.9±1 .34 and 4.5±1.4 mmol·l^-1 (mean±SD) for front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly, and its corresponding velocity correlated highly with those at SR and SL inflection points (r=0.91-0.99, p<0.001). The agreement analyses confirmed that AnT represents a biophysical boundary in the four competitive swimming techniques and can be determined individually using [La] and/or SR/SL. Blood lactate increase speed can help characterise swimmers' anaerobic behaviour after AnT and between competitive swimming techniques.

In-Water and On-Land Swimmers' Symmetry and Force Production

Although performance and biomechanical evaluations are becoming more swimming-specific, dryland testing permits monitoring of a larger number of performance-related variables. However, as the degree of comparability of measurements conducted in-water and on land conditions is unclear, we aimed to assess the differences between force production in these two different conditions. Twelve elite swimmers performed a 30 s tethered swimming test and four isokinetic tests (shoulder and knee extension at 90 and 300°/s) to assess peak force, peak and average torque, and power symmetry index. We observed contralateral symmetry in all the tests performed, e.g., for 30 s tethered swimming and peak torque shoulder extension at 90°/s: 178 ± 50 vs. 183 ± 56 N (p = 0.38) and 95 ± 37 vs. 94 ± 35 N × m (p = 0.52). Moderate to very large direct relationships were evident between dryland testing and swimming force production (r = 0.62 to 0.96; p < 0.05). Swimmers maintained similar symmetry index values independently of the testing conditions (r = −0.06 to −0.41 and 0.04 to 0.44; p = 0.18–0.88). Asymmetries in water seems to be more related to technical constraints than muscular imbalances, but swimmers that displayed higher propulsive forces were the ones with greater force values on land. Thus, tethered swimming and isokinetic evaluations are useful for assessing muscular imbalances regarding propulsive force production and technical asymmetries.

Interaction of polyphenols with model membranes: Putative implications to mouthfeel perception

Food polyphenols in fruits juices, tea, coffee, wine and beer confer sensory properties such as colour, astringency and bitterness. The development of functional healthy drinks without the unpleasant sensory feeling is boosting research for a clearer understanding on the interactions of polyphenols within the oral mucosa. In this study we investigated the interaction of astringent polyphenols, namely ECG, EGCG, procyanidin B4 and PGG, with lipids in model membranes by spectroscopic techniques. The membrane model was built varying the cholesterol content to mimic mouth regions and experiments were conducted at pH 5 to mimic the pH drop at the moment of beverage (e.g. green tea, red wine) intake. Fluorescence quenching results conducted on LUVs with cholesterol molar fractions ranging between 0.34 < χ_chol < 0.74 and similar size distributions (122.9 ± 3.7 nm) showed that interaction of polyphenols is structure- and concentration-dependent. Also, the decrease of partition constants (K_p) with increasing cholesterol content (χchol) suggest that the affinity of polyphenols is weaker in cholesterol-rich liposomes. STD results revealed that the interaction of EGCG and PGG with membrane lipids involved mainly galloyl residues. Overall, spectroscopic data show that polyphenols interact to higher extent with more polar regions found in buccal, flour of the mouth and gingiva regions than with more hydrophobic regions located in the palate and tongue supporting that lipid microenvironments play a role in oral sensory perception.

Development of a New Cell-Based Oral Model To Study the Interaction of Oral Constituents with Food Polyphenols

Some polyphenols have unpleasant taste properties such as astringency, which could interfere with consumers' choices. The knowledge on astringency mechanisms points that astringency is a complex phenomenon probably related to more than one physical-chemical mechanism. Thus, this work aims to develop a new and more realistic cell-based model containing human saliva, mucosa pellicle, and an oral cell line (HSC-3) to understand the oral molecular events that could contribute to the overall astringency perception. This model was then used to study the interactions with a food procyanidin fraction (PF) by HPLC. In general, the results revealed higher interaction (synergism) for the model with all the referred oral constituents (mucosa pellicle, salivary proteins, and HSC-3 cell line, HSCMuSp) when compared to the interaction with individual constituents, the PF + cells or PF + saliva. Regarding the procyanidins, a significant interaction was observed for the procyanidin monomer EcG, procyanidin dimers B7 and B2G, and trimer C1.

Early socioeconomic circumstances and adverse childhood experiences in 10-year-old children

Background

Evidence showed that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with the development of disease later in life and premature death. Examining the occurrence of these experiences at early ages would contribute to intervene and therefore to reduce health inequalities. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of ACEs among 10-year-children and to examine its association with early socioeconomic circumstances.

Methods

At the fourth wave of the population-based birth cohort Generation XXI, from Porto, Portugal, 5153 children completed a self-report questionnaire on 9 experiences related to household dysfunction and physical and emotional abuse. Socioeconomic circumstances included household income, maternal and paternal education, and history of parental unemployment. Logistic regression was performed to calculate the Odds Ratios (OR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (95%CI).

Results

A high prevalence of physical and emotional abuse was reported by children from low socioeconomic circumstances. A graded relationship between socioeconomic circumstances and cumulative ACEs was observed, for instance, low household income was associated with increased number of ACEs (one event [OR = 1.10; 95%CI: 0.89-1.36], two events [OR = 1.41; 95%CI: 1.15-1.73], three events [OR = 1.67; 95%CI: 1.34-2.06], and four or more events [OR = 2.05; 95%CI: 1.64-2.55]). Also, living with one parent or none of them increased the likelihood of reporting multiple ACEs (OR = 5.50; 95%CI: 4.23-7.13).

Conclusions

Children from low socioeconomic circumstances were more likely to report multiple adverse experiences in the first decade of life. These findings support that children from less advantaged environments might be at a higher risk of co-occurrence of adverse experiences during their childhood.

Key messages

Prevalence of ACEs is high among 10-year-old children and is associated with low socioeconomic circumstances. Social inequalities in children should be prioritized by public health policy.

Early socioeconomic circumstances and cardiometabolic health in 10-year-old children

Background

Social adversity is thought to become biologically embedded during sensitive periods of development, setting children on a trajectory of increased risk for later chronic diseases. Thus, social differences are expected to be expressed as biological alterations and might have their origins in early life. Therefore, we aim to estimate the association between early socioeconomic position (SEP) and cardiometabolic health during childhood.

Methods

Data from 2962 participants in the population-based birth cohort Generation XXI, from Porto, Portugal, was collected following standardized procedures at all study waves. Early SEP definition included household income, parental education and occupation at child’s birth. Cardiometabolic health was characterized at the age of 7 and 10, considering the triglycerides, cholesterol, fasting glucose, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between early SEP and a favorable cardiometabolic health profile.

Results

A favorable cardiometabolic profile was observed in almost half of participants at both ages, particularly among high SEP children who remain more frequently without alterations. For girls, higher paternal education at 7 years (OR:1.49;95%CI:1.03-2.15) and higher SEP at 10 were associated with better cardiometabolic health profile. In boys, a better cardiometabolic health profile was observed with increasing levels in maternal and paternal education and occupation, but at the age of 10, social differences were more evident according to parental education.

Conclusions

We provide evidence that children from more advantaged SEP at birth have an increased likelihood of presenting better cardiometabolic health at early ages. Social differences in cardiometabolic health biomarkers are already found in childhood, suggesting that the short-term impact of early life SEP on the physiology dysregulation takes place already in the first decade of life.

Key messages

Social differences in cardiometabolic health are already established in the first decade of life, with children from higher SEP presenting a better cardiometabolic health. Cardiovascular events are not expected to develop during childhood, however the underlying atherosclerotic process might already be in course as social differences appear to widen with age.

Interaction between Ellagitannins and Salivary Proline-Rich Proteins

The first contact of tannins with the human body occurs in the mouth, where some of these tannins are known to interact with salivary proteins, in particular with proline-rich proteins (PRPs). These interactions are important at a sensory level, especially for astringency development, but could also affect the biological activities of the tannins. This study gathers information on the relative affinity of the interaction, complex stoichiometry, and tannin molecular epitopes of binding for the interactions between the families of PRPs (bPRPs, gPRPs, and aPRPs) and three representative ellagitannins (castalagin, vescalagin, and punicalagin). These interactions were studied by saturation-tranfer difference NMR and microcalorimetry. The effect of the PRP-ellagitannin interaction on their antioxidant ability was also assessed by ferric reduction antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The results support a significant interaction between the studied tannins and PRPs with binding affinities in the micromolar range. Punicalagin was always the ellagitannin with higher affinity. aPRPs were the salivary PRPs with higher affinity. Moreover, it was observed that when ellagitannins are present in low concentrations (5-50 μM), as occurs in food, the antioxidant ability of these tannins when complexed with salivary PRPs could be significantly impaired.

Do swimmers conform to criterion speed during pace-controlled swimming in a 25-m pool using a visual light pacer?

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether swimmers follow the instructed speed (v_target) accurately with the aid of a commercial visual light pacer during front crawl and backstroke swimming in a 25 m pool. Ten male swimmers performed 50 m front crawl and backstroke at different speeds (controlled by a visual light pacer) in a 25 m pool. The mean speed during the 50 m swimming (v_S) was quantified from the time measured by a stopwatch. The mean speed of the centre of mass during a stroke cycle in the middle of the pool (v_COM) was calculated from three-dimensional coordinates obtained from Direct Linear Transformation of two-dimensional digitised coordinates of 19 segment endpoints for each of six cameras. Swimmers achieved accurate v_S in front crawl and backstroke (ICC = 0.972 and 0.978, respectively). However, v_COM for the single mid-pool sample had lower correlations with v_target (ICC = 0.781 and 0.681, respectively). In backstroke, v_COM was slower by 4.1-5.1% than v_target. However, this was not the case in front crawl (1.0-2.7%). With the use of a visual light pacer, swimmers can achieve accurate mean speed overall but are less able to achieve the target speed stroke by stroke.

Human Bitter Taste Receptors Are Activated by Different Classes of Polyphenols

Polyphenols may contribute directly to plant-based foodstuffs flavor, in particular to astringency and bitterness. In this work, the bitterness of a small library of polyphenols from different classes [procyanidin dimers type B, ellagitannins (punicalagin, castalagin, and vescalagin) and phenolic acid ethyl esters (protocatechuic, ferulic, and vanillic acid ethyl esters] was studied by a cell-based assay. The bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) activated by these polyphenols and the half-maximum effective concentrations (EC₅₀) of each agonist-TAS2Rs pair were determined. Computational methodologies were used to understand the polyphenol molecular region responsible for receptor activation and to get insights into the type of bonds established in the agonist-TAS2Rs pairs. The results show the combinatorial pattern of TAS2Rs activation. TAS2R5 seems to be the only receptor exhibiting a bias toward the activation by condensed tannins, while TAS2R7 seems more tuned for hydrolyzable (ellagi)tannins. Additionally, at the concentrations usually found for these compounds in foodstuffs, they can actively contribute to bitter taste, especially ellagitannins.